In 2019, he was promoted to NEC's first team.[4] He made his debut for the club on 9 August 2019, in the home match against FC Eindhoven which was lost 1–2.[2] El Karouani came on as a substitute for Anthony Musaba in the 68th minute. On 2 July 2020, he signed a one-year contract with NEC which included an option on another season.[5]
2020–21 season
In the 2020–21 season, he became the starting left back in an attacking NEC led by head coach Rogier Meijer.[3] On 3 October, El Karouani scored his first goal for the club in the home game against FC Eindhoven, which was won 6–0.[6] On 23 May 2021, El Karouani won promotion to the Eredivisie with NEC, by beating NAC Breda 1–2 in the final of the play-offs. He provided the assist to the winning goal by Jonathan Okita, which meant that the club returned to the highest Dutch division after an absence of four year.[7] He finished the season with 43 appearances in which he scored 3 goals, and his 8 assists were the most in the team.[1]
Utrecht
On 26 April 2023, El Karouani signed a three-year contract with Utrecht, set to commence from the 2023–24 season.[8]